Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd, a Japan-based pharmaceutical company, yesterday announced the launch of a transdermal patch formulation of atypical antipsychotic LONASEN(R) Tape 20mg, 30mg, and 40mg (generic name: blonanserin) in Japan on 10 September 2019.

The company says that the drug is the world's first transdermal patch formulation approved for the indication of schizophrenia. Blonanserin is a compound created by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma that exerts antagonistic effects against dopamine D2/D3 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. In clinical studies, it is claimed to have shown efficacy for both the positive symptoms (such as hallucinations or delusions) and negative symptoms (such as blunted affect or avolition) of schizophrenia.

Since April 2008, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has marketed LONASEN(R) Tablet/Powder, an oral agent whose active ingredient is blonanserin, in Japan. In order to further stabilise the concentration of blonanserin in blood, since 2010 Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has been involved in the joint development of this Drug with Nitto Denko Corporation, who has the technology required for designing transdermal patch formulations, which led to the approval of its new drug application on 18 June 2019.